NYT RECOMMENDATION

The Fly

An eccentric scientist who has built a machine to teleport objects decides to use his technology on living flesh, leading to horrifying consequences for both him and the woman he loves.

Watch ... if you want a smart monster flick that’s not about mayhem. Director David Cronenberg’s remake of the 1950s sci-fi thriller takes what was a fairly schlocky premise and turns it into a tongue-in-cheek tragedy. As the visionary, awkward scientist whose ambitious experiment backfires horribly, Jeff Goldblum is immensely charming; his chemistry with Geena Davis’s journalist is what drives the film. This is not a movie where someone turns into a monster and wrecks a city. Instead, it’s a contained, almost claustrophobic film.

Skip ... if you’re easily grossed out. The creature effects used in “The Fly” are graphic and stomach-turning. If the idea of a man being turned into a very large, very gross half-human, half-fly freaks you out, stay far away. In addition, while this was a decent-sized hit, it’s more a love story than a typical creature feature.